Stubborn back problem may cause England captain to miss opening three-day game in Perth as build-up to Ashes series begins

The greater depth of the England side means that Alastair Cook is slightly less important to his own colleagues than Michael Clarke might be to Australia. That does not lessen concern that Cook should be stricken by back trouble just as his opposing Ashes captain is preparing to return from a broadly similar ­ailment.

Cook was unable to take part in any of a long, middle practice session at the picturesque Floreat Park Oval in the Perth suburbs yesterday, making him a doubt for the three-day game against a Western Australia Chairman’s XI starting tomorrow (2.30am GMT) that marks the